WOODWORKING WORKSHOP TOUR 2021: Made By Wolfe's woodworking shop tour

WOODWORKING WORKSHOP TOUR 2021. Join me as we take a woodworking shop tour through the Made by Wolfe workshop. I build this workshop almost 20 years ago and have been adding to it ever since.
January 31 update: Someone just asked the obvious question that somehow escaped inclusion in the video: What are your shop dimensions? Well here they are...
The shop space itself is 29' x 50'. It has a vaulted ceiling that is 8' at the outside walls and about 12' at the peak (it is made of scissor trusses). One corner of the shop has the finish room, which is 10' x 12' with a 8' ceiling. In addition to the shop is the office which is 20' x 12'. Both the workshop and office were added on to the original garage, which is 20' x 24'. The garage is not used for housing cars, but rather lawn mowers, snow blowers and the overflow of stuff from the shop. It is also where I can do some basic metal fabrication. Some may feel this is a large woodworking shop, others may feel it is a small woodworking shop, but I think it is just right.
February 28th update: A viewer pointed out that I misspoke with the name of the KZbin maker who made (and sells plans for) the box joint jig. His name is Matthias Wandel, not Wendell Matthias. And while I am at it, here is a link to the video about the box join jig:
• Box joint jig
0:00 Introduction
0:28 Office
2:56 Veneer Press
3:28 Miter Saw and Radial Arm Saw
4:45 Router Table
5:30 Table Saw
5:49 Spindle Sander
6:01 Edge Sander
6:26 Shapers
7:03 Wide Belt Sander
8:00 Stroke Sander
8:53 Band Saw
9:24 Drill Press
10:14 Dust Collector
10:46 Hollow Chisel Mortiser
11:05 Pneumatic Sander
11:33 Air Compressor
12:13 Slow Speed Grinder
12:31 Wood Lathe
13:00 Machine Maintenance Cabinet
13:36 Sliding Table Saw
15:05 Planer
15:53 Joiner
17:07 Shop Cart
19:27 Dust Extractor
19:38 Random Orbital Sander
20:47 Workbench Area
23:23 Table Saw Cabinet
23:46 Wood and Plywood Storage
25:18 Finishing Room
27:28 Shopmade Air Hose Reel
28:36 Shop Plumbing
32:00 Thank You

[@MadebyWolfe]

Several people have asked about the dimensions of the shop. Here it is: The shop space itself is 29' x 50'. It has a vaulted ceiling that is 8' at the outside walls and about 12' at the peak (it is made of scissor trusses). One corner of the shop has the finish room, which is 10' x 12' with a 8' ceiling. In addition to the shop is the office which is 20' x 12'. Both the workshop and office were added on to the original garage, which is 20' x 24'. The garage is not used for housing cars, but rather lawn mowers, snow blowers and the overflow of stuff from the shop. It is also where I can do some basic metal fabrication.

[@thatguythatdoesstuff7448]

That is such a fantastic shop and gives me a number of ideas. Humble of you to call yourself blessed for this space. I never considered hard work a blessing. You deserve this space, you worked for it. My shop is many times smaller. When people say I'm lucky, I tell them I've worked for the last 13 years toward this goal. You make your own luck.

[@MadebyWolfe]

Thank you for your kind words about the shop and I am so glad you walked away with good ideas you can apply to your space. That really is the whole reason to do shop tours, but so that we can share ideas between one another. And you are right, it has been 30 years of work to get to this point. I in no way want to understate that. It is not magic fairy dust that makes a well organized shop, it is working on it and working in it for many years over many projects and reorganizing and adding to it along the way. Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting. So glad that you have your own great space that you can get out into!

[@glenngulley1375]

I love your shop and have watched this video several times as I am in the planning stages for my next shop

[@MadebyWolfe]

Thanks. Having a dedicated workshop space is really nice. Good luck with your setup!

[@garybrotherton5732]

Love the tour. I noticed many of the things that I have in my shop and you gave me many ideas. Thanks!

[@MadebyWolfe]

you are most welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@Hvn1957]

I always love seeing other truly professional shops. I enjoy the nice hobby shops too (I have one), but it’s fun to see what other full time woodworkers do in their shops. We have the big brother to your 12” Dewalt in our shop. They are superior machines. It’s also nice to see a shop that has tools that have been in use over many years. I worked in a pipe organ shop for thirty years, that started business in 1893. We had tools in use everyday that were made in the twenties. There’s a feeling of legacy that is really wonderful. Thank you for the look inside your business. I really enjoyed it!

[@kennethholmes9315]

I feel the same way about my shop. I am blessed. Have a great day. Love the shop video.

[@josephcleveland2539]

Todd, very impressive and thank you for the tour.

[@MadebyWolfe]

Joe, I am glad you found the channel. I am having a ton of fun! Hope you are doing well.

[@cheddarb0b1]

Enjoyed the tour, thanks for sharing your space! Really great organized video, and it's nice to see something to look forward to. I recently started woodworking full-time and can't wait to see my space in 20-30 years. Cheers, Sam

[@MadebyWolfe]

Thanks for watching Sam. When it comes to purchasing machines and tools, slow and steady wins the race. I say that for a couple of reasons. First, because of the obvious financial implication of purchasing machinery and tools. But, also, because I find I need to really take time to think about and discover while working on projects, what tools I actually need rather than ones that are just nice tools that other people have. I love KZbin shop tours and tools reviews, but they can encourage some unwise, or at least unnecessary purchases. How to the Facebook memes put it..."just saying for a friend."

[@t.e.1189]

Loved the tour, especially your removable jointer extension. What a great idea! I'm new to your channel, I'll have to check out your other videos.

[@markpatterson3276]

Thanks for the tour Todd. Having worked as a carpenter's helper over 40 years ago, I am enjoying your channel.

[@MadebyWolfe]

Hi Mark. I am so glad you are enjoying the channel. I am having a lot of fun sharing this side of me with a larger group. I hope that I am an encouragement for others to make stuff. Thanks for watching. Hope you are doing well.

[@phillipfonville421]

Wow! I can only dream about a shop that big. My shop is 13ft by 19ft with 8ft ceiling.

[@gizmodyne]

A great space. Thanks for the tour.

[@MadebyWolfe]

Thanks for coming along. It has been fun sharing it with others.

[@mattbowers5342]

Very nice shop, thanks for sharing it!

[@MadebyWolfe]

Hey Matt, thanks for you kind words. I have really enjoyed making and sharing KZbin videos the last couple months. And thanks for watching and commenting.

[@michael.schuler]

Great tour. Always interesting to see how we woodworkers come to similar solutions to common small shop problems, as well as to learn from the uncommon innovations. Thank you.

[@MadebyWolfe]

Thanks for watching Michael. I am a fellow learner from seeing other people workshops both in person and on KZbin. May we never stop learning.

[@randywright7933]

Really nice looking shop. Thanks for sharing it

[@MadebyWolfe]

Thanks Randy. It is my pleasure...and it is had been a lot of fun adding the video creations to my woodworking. I just started in January, so there is a steep learning curve, but that also means the videos are improving each time. Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting.

[@shanesmaineshop]

Very nice shop. Thanks for sharing.

[@MadebyWolfe]

Thank for taking the tour. It has been a lot of fun to share my experience in the workshop and the workshop itself with others.

[@MakerShopTour]

Great Tour! Thanks for sharing

[@MadebyWolfe]

It was really fun...I am looking forward to doing another one next year...with updates. Having just started on KZbin earlier this month, it'll be fun to see the difference a year of making videos will make in the production quality. I stopped by your page because the title interested me...and I like it. Hope you are able to keep putting out videos. I already have several shops either lined up or in mind to do shop tours with. Seeing other people's shops, either in person or on KZbin has always been exciting for me. I realized that I can actually share those shops with others now. I see you already had the idea. What state are you located in? I am in Upstate New York.

[@MakerShopTour]

@@MadebyWolfe Just getting started myself

[@dennismacwilliams196]

Love the office

[@MadebyWolfe]

Well I am very glad for that and thank you for the comment. Since I started doing YouTubing I have been spending as much time there as I am in the shop (never thought video editing would take so much time). Thanks for watching.

[@Ebaybbq]

Thx for the tour

[@MadebyWolfe]

You bet. Thanks for going on it. Cheers.

[@DreamWorksWoodShop]

Hi Todd! Enjoyed The Work Shop tour thanks for sharing. I just finished one on my channel about a year ago. I really get some great ideas from other woodworkers on organization, workflow, safety etc. best wishes in 2021 stay safe! Looking forward to following along..👍

[@MadebyWolfe]

Hey, thanks for stopping by. I agree about getting great ideas from other people willing to do a workshop tour. I often have to put a check on coveting, but once that is done, I always come out ahead. It is just fun to see others enjoying building things as much as I do.

[@nathanielsnyder1323]

when you here people say "I get up everyday and love going to my job" this is what they're talking about.

[@paulkramer4176]

Very nice workshop, and nice tour. Glad you admitted to cleaning up and not wanting to show the garage. My main shop is a bit smaller, @ 40 x20, (but much taller, with wood storage up above) But I have additional buildings too, for storage, more wood storage, and finishing, work. Also mine has no office in the shop. My wide belt, (not the same brand, but also made in China, I have had for about 20 years and before that the same drum sander you had, (and I never use anymore) is in a different shop with more power. Wide belts, even small ones like yours and mine are power hogs both in the sander itself and the compressors and dust collection. My main shop is off grid, so hard to run all that off solar alone. Though I have an Oliver 16" saw with a dust collection and an Excalibur sliding table attached, (sliding table is great, but probably the SCMI one is a bit smoother, can lust after a Martin or such). We have most of the same types of machines, though mine are for some reason older mostly, (Crescent jointer, 30" Tanewitz band saw, etc) but basically all same idea. You've done a great job, and I like a lot of your projects. Wish my shop always looked as clean as yours, but, I have lots of fun out there. Woodworking was my hobby, not the business, but now I've made more than 100 cabinets and pieces, and I value it more than any other thing I do at this age

[@debbieeckels25]

Love your workshop. Thank your wife for her input. It sure paid off.

[@MadebyWolfe]

I gladly complied with your request to thank my wife. Thanks for watching and for commenting!

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

Great shop. I always enjoy seeing how people set up their shop. Thanks for sharing.

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

I need to get out and work in my shop today. But I'm feeling under the weather. This is the first video I've seen of yours. So I'm heading over to see some of your other videos and planning out how to rearrange my shop to make it more efficient.

[@MadebyWolfe]

Thanks for watching! I too love to see how others set up their shops. Always inspirational.

[@MadebyWolfe]

Sorry you are feeling under the weather. Yeah, so I am brand new on KZbin. I posted my first video just after the first of the year. The shop video is the first to really get any views. The video that I put out yesterday is more the dream I have for video formats, I actually edited it down to under 8 minutes today, and am contemplating whether or not to put the shorter version up too. BUT, I am a teacher at heart and want to share the skills I have learned as well as building things. I love that you are a Cricut guru. I actually purchased a Cricut about 4 years ago, and struggled to take the time to learn how to use it. I think it I might have had better luck if I had found your channel.

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

@@MadebyWolfe Forever ago I had a craft store. I went to the convention where Cricut was unveiled. Been in love with it every since. Back when I started my channel I was looking for videos to teach me more and I was struggling to find any. So I made some videos. I really had no idea I would get any views. I haven't posted any views for a long time. I have the newest Cricut and use it but I spend way more time in my shop than in my studio. I started woodworking in 2012 with a used miter saw, used sander, borrowed drills and a stack of pallet wood. I spent $50. I had no shop. I've slowly built up my tools and my shop. I'm still learning all the time. I've now got a dream shop. I would love to do videos because I love to share what I know. But I haven't gotten enough nerve up. I look forward to watching your channel grow.

[@MadebyWolfe]

@@AngieWilliamsDesigns I just found you on Instagram because you commented on a post there. I love your shop. One of your posts you said "I am one lucky girl." In the words of Garfield (the cat not the president), "I resemble that remark." I love doing the videos, but there is definitely a trade off with project productivity. I am new at it, but I spend more time shooting, editing and maintaining the KZbin stuff right now than I do making stuff actually in the workshop. But, because I am starting to see the making of the videos as a creative endeavor that parallels my woodworking, it is OK, because still making things. But it has its tradeoffs. From the short videos you have uploaded to instagram, you have good camera presence and personality. So, don't let those nerves stop you. And from your instagram you definitely see the sharing of your work as a part of your work. But, realize that if you start, it will steal time away from making in the workshop. Unless you can get someone else to do the video editing.

[@JoesWorkbench]

Awesome workshop, very well thought out. Ive always wanted a wood burner in my workshop but its probably 110f in my workshop this weekend! Cheers for Australia :)

[@MadebyWolfe]

It's 110 in my workshop as well...but you have to be standing right next to the wood stove! But it is so nice to be able to put all the scrap wood to good use. Thanks for watching.

[@EclaWood]

Tempat kerja yang rapih kawan

[@sumosprojects]

A brilliant workshop mate, well set up & interesting workflow. I really like that you’ve got an office area to do other work 🍺👍👍👍, cheers from Australia

[@MadebyWolfe]

The business of woodworking and video making takes a lot of time. I am very thankful to have a space to do that in that is as nice as it is. Stopped by your shop on your channel and I loved your work and your workspace as well. Looks like you have had a fun journey the past 4 years making videos of your projects! Thanks again for watching and commenting.

[@sumosprojects]

@@MadebyWolfe Thank you for taking a look at my channel buddy, yes space we have is imperative to workflow & the filming of videos does take time & effort & I like the way you present yours. It takes time & respond to all comments as that’s a great base to build from 🤠👍👍👍👍

[@ForWildsSake]

Nice shop!

[@MadebyWolfe]

Hey Thanks! I have really enjoyed sharing it through KZbin. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@carpentryjoineryandcabinet6335]

Really nice space, enjoyed the tour. Nice to see shops that have been 'lived in" for a long time, and gradually evolved to suit them best, rather than brand new spaces.

[@MadebyWolfe]

I agree that sometimes brand new spaces seem incomplete or even sterile, and yet, I covet their simplicity and cleanliness. I was actually thinking the other day just how much things have changed over the last 20 years in the shop. I have been trying to do some deeper cleaning, getting rid of things that just are not needed and have not been used for a long time...and, for me at least, it is SO HARD. Thanks for watching.

[@carpentryjoineryandcabinet6335]

@@MadebyWolfe I try to be ruthless sometimes too, and have a good clear out of stuff that just hangs around. Haven't quite mastered that part yet though 😂😂

[@Axeman12171]

very nice

[@MadebyWolfe]

Thanks Axeman. I have been encouraged by other's workshop tours and and glad people can be encouraged by mine. Thanks for the comment!

[@albatros1752]

Nice !!!

[@MadebyWolfe]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@duffleaver6108]

Looking forward to the sander comparison.

[@MadebyWolfe]

Yes, me too. I am trying to focus on finishing the Bluestone Bench project I am filming, but I hope to do it after that. The wide belt sander was used the I purchased it, and I am getting used to using it. I actually had to resurface the contact drum because it had been damaged by the previous user. I was able to do that last week and it is now ready for comparison. I am new at YouTubing, so I don't know how to let you know that the comparison video is up other than either having you check back, or subscribe and hit the notification button. Thanks for watching.

[@MadebyWolfe]

Hey, Duff. I scoured the comments to find the one who was looking forward to the sander comparison, because I finally filmed it and put it up on my KZbin page today. Hope you are able to check it out. And, if you have any further questions, by all means let me know in the comments and I'll do my best to answer it for you.

[@duffleaver6108]

@@MadebyWolfe Yes, I saw it yesterday and thought it was a great review.

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

From on Tod to another, thanks for sharing. Music is a necessity.

[@MadebyWolfe]

From one Tod(d) to another, thanks for watching!

[@GraffWoodshop]

Love the idea for the quick standing desk! Great tour!

[@MadebyWolfe]

What do they say, necessity is the mother of invention. I have a bulged disc in my back and sciatica pain. So, up went the desk. I think it will probably be a go. I might add another level of file drawers to the current file cabinets or build an actual adjustable standing desk. We'll see. Thanks for watching.

[@YordanDimitrovTanev]

Very Nice Shop. Can you give some more information on the parallel fence you are using for tale saw ?

[@MadebyWolfe]

It is just a besymier fence system.

[@mannyfilmsinc]

nice shop, congrats! what part of the world are you in?

[@greggmarston9298]

Miss you Todd!

[@MadebyWolfe]

Thanks Greg. I miss my my NE district family as well. I appreciate Dave sharing my adventure with all of you. It has given me some time to reconnect.

[@JohnnyG2573]

New subscriber, great shop! What part of “Upstate” NY are you located in? I’m up in the Adirondacks and always have an affinity for folks in my area.

[@MadebyWolfe]

Yeah, "Upstate" is a pretty broad statement. I am in the Southern Tier not too far from Binghamton. I am glad you enjoyed the tour, Thanks for watching and thanks for subscribing.

[@theRaymiltier]

Do you have a link for the Jointer blades you use in the minimax? Really enjoy the content

[@MadebyWolfe]

Here is a set sold by MyWoodCutters: mywoodcutters.com/HSS_Blade_Set_for_MiniMax_Jointer_FS-35. As a side note, they also sell a replacement spiral cutterhead for the machine. I secretly hope to upgrade some day, but at $1300, I am not sure if it will be happening. Thanks for watching.

[@theRaymiltier]

@@MadebyWolfe perfect! Thank you!

[@hurcorh]

I have the M class version of your makita dust extractor. Hope you like it as much as I like mine!

[@MadebyWolfe]

YES I do. It was one of those purchases that I put off for 15/20 years and wish that I had not. It is so much better than a "shop vac". I appreciate that they call them dust extractors do distinguish them from regular shop vacs. Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting. I hope that for both of us that our days suck at some point today...sucks dust that is.

[@hurcorh]

@@MadebyWolfe 100% agree! I had a ryobi 'shop vac' which was a dusty, noisy unit. This thing is 1000 times better. I've got a CV06 mini clearvue cyclone to add into the mix and see how much further i can go without changing filter bags. Next up hopefully will be the bigger brother clearvue cv1800 to replace my inefficient dust collector.

[@mrcedar1000]

Very nice place! What size build do you have there?

[@MadebyWolfe]

Thanks for asking. The shop space itself is 29' x 50'. It has a vaulted ceiling that is 8' at the outside walls and about 12' at the peak (it is made of scissor trusses). One corner of the shop has the finish room, which is 10' x 12' with a 8' ceiling. In addition to the shop is the office which is 20' x 12'. Both the workshop and office were added on to the original garage, which is 20' x 24'. The garage is not used for housing cars, but rather lawn mowers, snow blowers and the overflow of stuff from the shop. It is also where I can do some basic metal fabrication. Thanks for watching.

[@jeff1414z]

Question - why didn't you locate the wood stove in a more central location - I'm sure you had a reason but I was just interested why? Thanks - great shop.

[@MadebyWolfe]

Jeff, that is a really good question. It was very intentional. First, it is good to know that the wood stove was an add on years after building and using the shop. When I added it, I wanted the wood stove to be able to provide heat to the office as well when I spend long periods of time in there. When I want heat in the office, I have a fan that I place on the floor at the door that forces the cooler air off of the floor of the office into ths shop thus drawing in warm air off of the stove. It works well. Actually, with the large open space and higher ceilings, there is little temperature difference throughout the workshop once things warm up. Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting.

[@kenf6662]

I use for over 30 years PVC sch40 for air and never had a brake ore leak in one.

[@MadebyWolfe]

That is fantastic. I had thought of it, but quite frankly chickened out, thinking that surely I would have issues later on. Thanks for sharing your experience. I might consider it if I ever install airline in another workspace. For the cost of copper today, you could install pvc several times over and still be ahead. Thanks for commenting.

[@kenf6662]

@@MadebyWolfe PVC still going strong 1/2" if it is done right quality primer & glue, only use indoors the sun gets to it after 10 years. sch40 rated at 600 PSI.

[@silverbackag9790]

What finish did you use on the floor?

[@MadebyWolfe]

The floor. One of the most important parts of the shop that is overlooked. It was simply power troweled to a smooth finish and then a decent quality sealer (that is used to keep the concrete from drying out as it cures) was sprayed on it by the concrete contractor the same day. This has stood up over 20 years of wear and I am able to sweep the entire shop in 2 minutes with a 30" dust mop.

[@gregorylondos534]

Very Nice Shop. What is the wall to wall dimensions...? Wall height and center ceiling heights? Spray booth size etc. Thank you for Sharing with us. I will be subscribing... Greg

[@MadebyWolfe]

Greg, that is such a great and seemingly obvious question, yet, I did not even think of mentioning those measurements in the video! So the shop space is 29' x 50'. It has a vaulted ceiling that is 8' at the outside walls and about 12' at the peak (it is made of scissor trusses) The finish room is 10' x 12' with a 8' ceiling. The office is 20' x 12'. Both of those were added on to the original garage, which is 20' x 24'. The garage is not used for housing cars, but rather lawn mowers, snow blowers and the overflow of stuff from the shop. It is also where I can do some basic metal fabrication. Thanks again for the question. I think I will post it in the description

[@treyrees9153]

Of all the machines in your workshop, which one is your favorite and which one has been the best return on investment?

[@MadebyWolfe]

My Favorite? Best return on investment? What great questions. I think the sliding table (panel) saw with the scoring blade has to be it. No matter what I would have a table saw, band saw, planer, joiner. But being able to quickly process plywood and sheet goods without tear out is a game changer.

[@StepperByStepper]

So much stuff for a single man, according to physics you can use every machine a couple of hours every few months.

[@teddywong6246]

his name is Mathias Wandel.

[@MadebyWolfe]

It is amazing just how hard it is to see your own mistakes sometimes. Thanks for pointing it out. I'll put a correction in the description and a link to his channel for those who don't know who he is. thanks for watching and commenting.

[@andrewbashwinger4923]

Sent you a couple questions on fb messenger when you get a chance, thanks!

[@JDDupuy]

Another shop tour with no projects being constructed. No sawdust anywhere, how is this possible? Nice monument to woodworking!

[@MadebyWolfe]

Hey, I worked hard getting all the sawdust cleaned up before company came over. If I had opened the doors into my garage you would have understood. Anyway, thanks for watching. I checked out your channel, as I often to when people comment or subscribe, and I wish my uncle was still alive. He passed away 15 years plus years ago and he would have loved to see you Ham channel. Hope you are able to get out there and make some sawdust of your own. I certainly am going to.

[@JDDupuy]

@@MadebyWolfe Good deal. Look forward to your next project! Working on 2 pieces of furniture right now for myself while construction season has slowed due to the weather. My workshop I built 4 years ago is my sanctuary during the winter months especially.